my contractor is telling me the basement bathtub gets installed on the concrete floor and fasten to the 2x4 ...I thought he needs to install the dry wall first and then the bathtub. Is it Ok to have this done later and only half the wall above the tub have the dry wall?...there is also the shower not only the tub...Thanks

130 plumber

11-01-2009 07:43 PM

he's going about it the right way:thumbup:Reason being you need to have the dry wall and the tiles to overlap the tub to prevent water from running out through the back wall.If you look close at the tub you should notice that their is a lip around the tub :thumbsup: thats where the wall will some what sit on.I hope this help:yes:

130 plumber

11-01-2009 07:51 PM

I just hope you have a license plumber installing the fixtures

mmohanna

11-01-2009 09:10 PM

Thank you for the reply
I asked my contractor for the work to be performed by a lisenced plumber
How do I verify that the plubmer he brought in is certified?...Should I ask to see his lisence? or is there another way
Thanks again

130 plumber

11-02-2009 10:56 AM

just walk up to the person that is installing the fixtures and ask to see his plumbers license,i for one have no problem when one ask to see my license.If the plumber has a license he should have no problem showing you.

Piedmont

11-03-2009 02:10 PM

Right, tub goes in first. It has to be levelled and shimmed first, then the drywall can go on top afterward (or set in a foundation first). Otherwise you'll be cutting and finalizing tidbits of drywall here and there and... and you know how much fun it is cutting say 1/8" of drywall :no:

I don't think it has to be done by a certified plumber, but is on the advanced side and not a bad idea. I'm most familiar with cast iron tubs, I just hate fiberglass & plastic. Back in the day you used to rest the tub on a lip (usually just furring) and then shim it to level. Being level is very important for proper draining. The hardware was soldered in place so you often had to get it hot enough to solder but not ruin it. And, sometimes had to solder some of the plumbing beforehand but not all (else tub wouldn't fit). The innards are delicate, so you had to be careful not only of getting the assembly too hot but also not using too much solder. Then had to worry about how far the controls stick out there isn't especially a lot of room for error. Then the assembly can't handle much debri as debris can ruin the assembly a plumber will flush the line first before final assembly. And plumbers know very well to make sure the showerhead lines up with the controls which line up with spout (it's actually pretty easy to screw that up) and adjust the plunger depth.

So it wasn't an easy task, and really still isn't. Today tubs (cast iron) have feet and you level them by putting shims under the feet. The controls most often take threaded fittings so there is no soldering the assembly (no risk of having to get it just hot enough nor putting too much solder). The controls now come with a plastic face guide to let you know exactly how deep the controls have to be countersunk from the face. Still have to worry about scraps & solder interferring with the innards but the assembly has a screen now (removed before final assembly). Adjusting the plunger is pretty easy.

My $0.02 I would say you're fine getting an apprentice or someone who's done them before (the more the better), someone licensed you're pretty certain to have a good experience, I would just make sure this isn't the persons first install it's pretty involved.

mmohanna

11-04-2009 11:04 PM

Thank you very much. The tips really help and I will follow up with the advice

mmohanna

11-21-2009 07:57 PM

Hi ...Here I am again
So far so good BUT:huh: He installed the green wall and the hardie backer around the tub. We noticed an uneven gap ( 3/4 inch at edge of tub) between the wall and the right side of the tub. Another world the left side fits perfectly against the two walls ( Corner ) but not the right side . How is this going to be fixed?..& is this going to be a problem ..My contractor said dont worry but did not explain how is he going to fix it
Please advice